Isles of Wonder

Music for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games

In January 2012 Danny Boyle, Artistic Director of the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, revealed that the Ceremony theme had been inspired by The Tempest's 'Isles of Wonder' speech. This has followed into the title of this album, compiling music for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Starring a cast of more than 10,000 performers, the theme of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony was inspired by The Tempest, the dream of Caliban - 'Be not afeard the isle is full of noises'. 'The Isles of Wonder' featured newly-composed music by Underworld, but also choirs, orchestras, vocalists and musicians alongside the chimes of a specially-commissioned 23-ton bell. The largest harmonically tuned bell in the world.